Anti-abeta oligomer humanized antibody

ABSTRACT

An anti-cognitive dysfunction agent comprising a humanized antibody which does not bind to Aβ monomers and specifically binds only to Aβ oligomers and a fragment thereof as an active ingredient, and an therapeutic antibody which can be treat Alzheimer&#39;s disease by specifically binding amyloid β protein oligomer (Aβ oligomer) which is considered to be a cause of Alzheimer&#39;s disease are required. The present invention can provide an anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody and a method for treating Alzheimer&#39;s disease using the humanized antibody. An agent for treating Alzheimer&#39;s disease; an agent for suppressing formation of neuritic plaque; an inhibitor of formation of Aβ amyloid fiber; a method for at least one of preventing and treating cognitive dysfunction or Alzheimer&#39;s disease, comprising the step of administering the humanized antibody; and a method for suppressing progression of Alzheimer&#39;s disease, comprising the step of administering the humanized antibody.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an antibody which specifically binds to an amyloid-β (hereinafter, also referred to as Aβ) protein oligomer and use thereof.

2. Brief Description of the Background Art

It is considered based on various pieces of evidence that the decline in memory in Alzheimer's disease (hereinafter, referred to as AD) is caused as a result of synapse dysfunction due to soluble oligomers of amyloid-β protein (hereinafter, amyloid-β protein is also referred to as Aβ, and amyloid-β protein oligomer is also referred to as Aβ oligomer) (Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Accordingly, there is a possibility that excessive accumulation or deposition of Aβ oligomers in a brain triggers a series of pathological cascades which may cause AD. This indicates a possibility that medical treatment targeting Aβ oligomers may be effective in delaying or preventing the onset and the progression in the disease stage of AD.

However, the knowledge relating to the neurodegeneration caused by a molecule responsible for this amyloid-cascade hypothesis as its core factor, particularly by Aβ oligomers was mainly demonstrated in experiments in vitro (Non-Patent Document 3) and was not directly demonstrated in vivo.

Since the structures specific to Aβ oligomers have not been studied in the in vivo experiments which have been reported before (Non-Patent Document 4), synaptic toxicity due to endogenous Aβ oligomers has not been clarified.

In addition, although studies have been carried out in various AD model mice, neuronal toxicity of Aβ oligomers in the brain of an AD patient has not yet been revealed.

Furthermore, it has not yet been established why the formation of neurofibrillary tangle (hereinafter, simply referred to as NFT) and the loss of nerve cell occurs prior to pathogenesis of neuritic plaque in the human entorhinal cortex and how Aβ oligomers relate to these tissue degeneration and dysfunctions.

As antibodies against Aβ oligomers, anti-Aβ oligomer mouse monoclonal antibody NAB61 (Non-Patent Document 4), 1A9, 2C3, E12, 1C10, and 4D3 (Patent Document 1) are known.

It is known that generally, when a non-human antibody such as a mouse antibody is administered to human, it is recognized as a foreign substance so that a human antibody for mouse antibody (human anti mouse antibody: HAMA) is induced in the human body. It is known that HAMA reacts with the administered mouse antibody to thereby induce side effects (Non-patent Documents 5 to 8), quickens disappearance of the mouse antibody from the body (Non-patent Documents 6, 9 and 10) and decreases therapeutic effect of the mouse antibody (Non-patent Documents 11 and 12).

In order to solve these problems, attempts have been made to prepare a recombinant antibody such as a human chimeric antibody and a humanized antibody from a non-human antibody using genetic recombination techniques.

A human chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody and the like have various advantages in clinical application to human in comparison with a non-human antibody such as a mouse antibody. For example, it has been reported that its immunogenicity was decreased and its blood half-life was prolonged in a test using monkey, compared to a mouse antibody (Non-patent Document 13).

That is, since a human chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody and the like cause fewer side effects in human than non-human antibodies, it is expected that its therapeutic effect is sustained for a prolonged time.

Also, since a recombinant antibody such as a human chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody and a human antibody is prepared using recombination techniques, it can be prepared as various forms of molecules.

For example, γ1 subclass can be used as a heavy chain (hereinafter referred to as “H chain”) constant region (hereinafter referred to as “C region”) of a human antibody (H chain C region is referred to as “CH”) to produce a recombinant antibody having high effector functions such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (hereinafter referred to as “ADCC activity”). In addition, γ2 or γ4 subclass can be used as a heavy chain to produce a recombinant antibody which has decreased effector function and is expected to prolong of its blood half life in comparison with mouse antibodies (Non-patent Document 14).

Particularly, since cytotoxic activities such as complement-dependent cytotoxicity (hereinafter referred to as “CDC activity”) and ADCC activity via the Fc region (the region after the antibody heavy chain hinge region) of an antibody are important for the therapeutic efficacy, a human chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody or a human antibody is preferred compared to a non-human animal antibody such as a mouse antibody (Non-patent Documents 15 and 16).

In addition, with recent advance in protein engineering and genetic engineering, a recombinant antibody can also be prepared as an antibody fragment having small molecular weight, such as Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)₂, a single chain antibody (hereinafter referred to as “scFv”) (Non-patent Document 17), a dimerized V region fragment (hereinafter referred to as “Diabody”) (Non-patent Document 18), a disulfide stabilized V region fragment (hereinafter referred to as “dsFv”) (Non-patent Document 19), and a peptide comprising a CDR (Non-patent Document 20). These antibody fragments have a greater advantage in transfer to target tissues than whole antibody molecules (Non-patent Document 21).

The above-mentioned facts indicate that a human chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody, a human antibody or an antibody fragment thereof is more preferable as the antibody to be used for the clinical application to human than a non-human animal antibody such as a mouse antibody.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   Patent Literature 1: WO2009/051220

Non-Patent Literature

-   Non-patent Literature 1: Klein W L, Trends Neurosci 24:219-224,     2001. -   Non-patent Literature 2: Selkoe D J, Science 298:789-791, 2002. -   Non-patent Literature 3: Hass C et al, Nature Review 8:101-12, 2007. -   Non-patent Literature 4: Lee E B, et al, J. Biol. Chem.     281:4292-4299, 2006. -   Non-patent Literature 5: J. Clin. Oncol., 2, 881 (1984) -   Non-patent Literature 6: Blood, 65, 1349 (1985) -   Non-patent Literature 7: J. Natl. Cancer Inst., 80, 932 (1988) -   Non-patent Literature 8: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 82, 1242     (1985) -   Non-patent Literature 9: J. Nucl. Med., 26, 1011 (1985) -   Non-patent Literature 10: J. Natl. Cancer Inst., 80, 937 (1988) -   Non-patent Literature 11: J. Immunol., 135, 1530 (1985) -   Non-patent Literature 12: Cancer Res., 46, 6489 (1986) -   Non-patent Literature 13: Cancer Res., 56, 1118 (1996) -   Non-patent Literature 14: Immunol., 85, 668 (1995) -   Non-patent Literature 15: J. Immunol., 144, 1382 (1990) -   Non-patent Literature 16: Nature, 322, 323 (1988) -   Non-patent Literature 17: Science, 242, 423 (1988) -   Non-patent Literature 18: Nature Biotechnol., 15, 629 (1997) -   Non-patent Literature 19: Molecular Immunol., 32, 249 (1995) -   Non-patent Literature 20: J. Biol. Chem., 271, 2966 (1996) -   Non-patent Literature 21: Cancer Res., 52, 3402 (1992)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above Non-Patent Document 4 and Patent Document 1 disclose antibodies against Aβ oligomers. However, these antibodies bind not only to an Aβ oligomer but also to an Aβ monomer. Therefore, there is a concern about central side effects of the antibody during the antibody therapy for AD, which targets the pathology in the brain.

For this reason, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a humanized antibody which does not bind to an Aβ monomer and specifically binds only to an Aβ oligomer and the use thereof. More specifically, the purpose is to provide an antibody which specifically binds to an Aβ oligomer, a method for measuring an Aβ oligomer using the antibody, a method for diagnosing AD using the antibody, and a medicament comprising the antibody.

As a result of intensive deliberation in view of the above problem, the present inventors have found a humanized antibody which does not bind to an Aβ monomer and specifically binds only to an Aβ oligomer and accomplished the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an amino acid sequence of H chain variable region 4H5HV0 and amino acid residues modified from the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12 in HV2, HV3, HV4, HV5a, HV5b, HV6, and HV7. The first and second lines in the drawing indicate the amino acid numbers in the H chain variable region, and the letters in the other respective lines indicate the substituted amino acid (represented by single letter code).

FIG. 2 shows an amino acid sequence of L chain variable region 4H5LV0 and amino acid residues modified from the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14 in LV1a, LV1b, LV1c, LV3, and LV5. The first and second rows in the drawing indicate the amino acid numbers in the L chain variable region, and the letters in the respective rows indicate the altered amino acid (represented by one letter).

FIG. 3 shows sensorgrams obtained by measuring the binding activities of anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody HV0LV0, HV5aVL0, HV5aLV1b, and HV5aLV3 to Aβ monomers using a Biacore system.

FIG. 4 shows sensorgrams obtained by measuring the binding activities of anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody HV6LV0, HV6LV1b, and HV6LV3 to Aβ monomers using a Biacore system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

That is, the present invention relates to the following 1 to 9.

1. A humanized antibody which does not bind to an Aβ protein monomer and binds to an Aβ oligomer, and which comprises the following (a) antibody heavy chain variable region and (b) antibody light chain variable region: (a) an antibody heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12 or an amino acid sequence in which at least one modification among amino acid modifications for substituting Leu at position 18 with Arg, Gln at position 46 with Glu, Met at position 48 with Val, Val at position 49 with Ala, Ser at position 77 with Asn, Val at position 93 with Met, and Arg at position 98 with Gly is carried out in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12, (b) an antibody light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14 or an amino acid sequence in which at least one modifications among amino acid modifications for substituting Ile at position 2 with Val, Val at position 3 with Leu, Pro at position 15 with Leu, Gln at position 50 with Lys, and Gln at position 105 with Gly is carried out in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14. 2. A humanized antibody according to the above 1, wherein the antibody heavy chain variable region comprises the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12, 15, or 16 and the antibody light chain variable region comprises the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14, 17, or 18. 3. An anti-cognitive dysfunction agent, comprising the humanized antibody according to the above 1 or 2 as an active ingredient. 4. A medicament for treating Alzheimer's disease, comprising the humanized antibody according to the above 1 or 2 as an active ingredient. 5. An agent for suppressing formation of neuritic plaque, comprising the humanized antibody according to the above 1 or 2 as an active ingredient. 6. An inhibitor of formation of Aβ amyloid fiber, comprising the humanized antibody according to the above 1 or 2 as an active ingredient. 7. A method for at least one of prevention and treatment of cognitive dysfunction, comprising administering the humanized antibody according to the above 1 or 2. 8. A method for at least one of prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease, comprising administering the humanized antibody according to the above 1 or 2. 9. A method for suppressing progression of Alzheimer's disease, comprising administering the humanized antibody according to the above 1 or 2.

The antibody of the present invention is expected to establish methods for prevention and treatment of AD and a diagnostic marker at an early stage can be established by targeting an Aβ protein which is a causative molecule of AD.

There is a concern about intracerebral transfer of the antibody during the antibody therapy for AD which targets the pathology in the brain. However, there is a possibility that the antibody of the present invention is applicable for the clinical therapy by administration to a peripheral vein, and it can be considered that development in the antibody treatment of AD should be accelerated at once.

The anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody of the present invention (hereinafter, also referred to as the antibody of the present invention or the humanized antibody of the present invention) is a humanized antibody characterized in that it binds to an Aβ oligomer and does not bind to an Aβ monomer. The antibody of the present invention is preferably an isolated antibody, a purified antibody, or an antibody composition.

The isolated antibody, the purified antibody, and the antibody composition are the antibodies which substantially comprise 100% of the desired antibody and do not contain any impurities such as contaminant proteins in the production of the antibody derived from antibody-producing cells and tissues, antibody-producing animals and the like.

The antibody is a heterotetrameric protein constituted by two heavy chains (H chains) and two light chains (L chains). The antibody is classified as a polyclonal antibody and a monoclonal antibody which recognize a single antigen.

The polyclonal antibody is a mixture of the antibodies which recognize a single antigen. Examples of the polyclonal antibody include antiserum of a host animal immunized with an antigen.

The monoclonal antibody is an antibody secreted by a single clone of antibody-producing cells, and recognizes only one epitope (also called antigen determinant) and has the uniformity in amino acid sequence (primary structure).

The antibody of the present invention is preferably a monoclonal antibody. Examples of the monoclonal antibody in the present invention include a monoclonal antibody in which complementarity determining regions (hereinafter, referred to as CDRs) 1 to 3 of the antibody heavy chain (hereinafter, referred to as an H chain) comprise the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 3, respectively, and the CDRs 1 to 3 in the L chain comprise the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs:4 to 6, respectively, a monoclonal antibody in which the H chain variable region (hereinafter, referred to as VH) of the antibody comprises the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:8 and the L chain variable region (hereinafter, referred to as VL) comprises the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:10, and an anti-Aβ oligomer mouse monoclonal antibody 4H5.

As an epitope, a single amino acid sequence which is recognized and bound by the monoclonal antibody, a conformation comprising the above amino acid sequence, the above amino acid sequence to which a sugar chain binds, and a conformation comprising the above amino acid sequences to which sugar chains bind can be exemplified.

The epitope to be recognized by the antibody of the present invention may be any protein so long as it includes at least one of an Aβ protein and the fragment thereof, and it exists on an Aβ oligomer which forms a complex.

Examples of the epitope to which the antibody of the present invention binds include an epitope comprising a primary amino acid sequence of Aβ which is exposed on an Aβ oligomer, an epitope comprising a conformation of an Aβ oligomer and the like.

It is known that the Aβ protein as a main component of amyloid is a peptide comprising 40 to 42 amino acids and is produced from a precursor protein called an amyloid precursor protein (hereinafter, referred to as APP) by the action of protease.

Amyloid molecules produced from APP include a non-fibrillar-polymer of soluble monomers and soluble oligomers in addition to the amyloid fiber collected in an ultracentrifugal sediment fraction.

In the present invention, the Aβ oligomer is a non-fibrillar-polymer, and is an Aβ oligomer which comprises at least one of an Aβ protein and a fragment thereof and forms a complex.

Specifically, examples of an Aβ oligomer include an Aβ40(Aβ1-40) oligomer, an Aβ42(Aβ1-42) oligomer, and an Aβ oligomer comprising at least one of Aβ40 and Aβ42. In addition, examples of the Aβ oligomer in the present invention include an Aβ oligomer comprising an Aβ fragment with the loss of the N-terminal of Aβ in at least one of Aβ40 and Aβ42.

Specifically, the Aβ42 oligomer in the present invention are molecules having a molecular weight of 45 to 160 kDa measured by SDS-PAGE and a molecular weight of 22.5 to 1,035 kDa measured by Blue Native-PAGE.

The Aβ oligomer is recovered mainly through >100 kDa retaining liquid in the molecular sieve. In addition, the Aβ oligomer shows a mixture of configuration which consists of particle-shaped molecules, beaded molecules, and circular molecules with the heights of 1.5 to 3.1 nm under an atomic force microscope.

Moreover, the above Aβ oligomer is eluted to a void volume fraction 8 of the molecular weight 680 kDa or more and to a fraction 15 of the molecular weight 17 to 44 kDa boundary by gel filteration method.

The antibody of the present invention can be used as long as it is a humanized antibody which binds to an Aβ oligomer and does not bind to an Aβ monomer, and the derivation and shape thereof are not limited.

It is preferable that the antibody of the present invention does not recognize a soluble amyloid β (Aβ) monomer which is a physiological molecule and reacts only with a soluble Aβ oligomer.

In the present invention, binding only to a soluble Aβ oligomer without binding to a soluble Aβ monomer means that, among Aβ monomers and Aβ oligomers which are separated by ultrafiltration and a molecular sieve, the antibody does not recognize monomers (about 4.5 kDa), but specifically recognize a soluble Aβ oligomer which is equal to or larger than Aβ dimmers. Accordingly, it is preferable that the antibody of the present invention specifically binds to a soluble Aβ oligomer which is equal to or larger than an Aβ dimer.

The antibody of the present invention has at least one activity among the following (1) to (5):

(1) anti-neurotoxicity activity; (2) Aβ amyloid fiber formation suppressing activity; (3) specificity for recognizing only an Aβ oligomer; (4) ability of capturing an Aβ oligomer in AD brains (5) ability of preventing AD-like pathogenesis (decline in memory, Aβ accumulation level in brains) in an APPswe-transgenic mouse (Tg2576).

The activities of the antibody of the present invention relating to the above (1) to (5) can be confirmed using the method disclosed in WO 2009/051220.

The antibody of the present invention can be prepared as a recombinant antibody. In the present invention, the recombinant antibody includes antibodies produced by recombination technology such as a human chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody (or a human CDR-grafted antibody), a human antibody and an antibody fragment thereof.

The recombinant antibody having a character of monoclonal antibodies, low immunogenecity and prolonged half-life in blood is preferable as a therapeutic agent. Examples of the recombinant antibody include an antibody derived by modification of the monoclonal antibody of the present invention using recombination technology.

The human chimeric antibody is an antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region (hereinafter referred to as “VH”) and a light chain variable region (hereinafter referred to as “VL”) of an antibody of a non-human animal and a heavy chain constant region (hereinafter referred to as “CH”) and a light chain constant region (hereinafter referred to as “CL”) of a human antibody.

The human chimeric antibody can be produced by obtaining cDNAs encoding the above VH and VL from a hybridoma which produces a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to an Aβ oligomer, inserting each of them into an expression vector for animal cell comprising DNAs encoding CH and CL of human antibody to thereby construct a vector for expression of human chimeric antibody, and then introducing the vector into an animal cell to express the antibody.

As the above CH of the human chimeric antibody, any CH can be used, so long as it belongs to human immunoglobulin (hereinafter referred to as “hIg”), and those belonging to the hIgG class are preferred, and any one of the subclasses belonging to the hIgG class, such as hIgG1, hIgG2, hIgG3 and hIgG4, can be used.

As the above CL of the human chimeric antibody, any CL can be used, so long as it belongs to the hIg class, and those belonging to κ class or λ class can be used.

The humanized antibody of the present invention is an antibody in which amino acid sequences of CDRs of VH and VL of an antibody derived from a non-human animal are grafted into appropriate positions of VH and VL of a human antibody.

The humanized antibody can be produced by designing amino acid sequence of V regions in which the amino acid sequences of CDRs of both VH and VL of the monoclonal antibody which is produced by a non-human animal hybridoma and specifically binds to an Aβ oligomer are grafted into framework regions (hereinafter referred to as “FR”) of VH and VL of any human antibody, respectively, constructing cDNAs encoding the V regions, inserting each of them into a expression vector for animal cells comprising genes encoding CH and CL of a human antibody to thereby construct a vector for expression of humanized antibody, and introducing it into an animal cell to thereby express and produce the humanized antibody.

As the amino acid sequences of FRs of VH and VL of the humanized antibody, any amino acid sequences can be used, so long as they are amino acid sequences of VH and VL, respectively, derived from a human antibody.

Examples include amino acid sequences of FRs of VH and VL of human antibodies registered in database such as Protein Data Bank, common amino acid sequences of each subgroup of FRs of VH and VL of human antibodies described in Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, US Dept. Health and Human Services (1991) and the like.

Examples of the humanized antibody of the present invention include a humanized antibody in which CDRs 1 to 3 of VH of the antibody comprise the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs:1 to 3, respectively, and CDRs 1 to 3 of VL of the antibody comprise the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs:4 to 6, respectively.

The humanized antibody of the present invention is preferably a humanized antibody comprising at least one of the following (a) VH and (b) VL. In addition, in the following (a) and (b), the number of the substitutions to be introduced is not limited:

(a) VH comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12 or an amino acid sequence in which at least one amino acid residue selected from Leu at position 18, Gln at position 46, Met at position 48, Val position 49, Ser position 77, Val at position 93, and Arg at position 98 in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12 is substituted with another amino acid residue; (b) VL comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14 or an amino acid sequence in which at least one amino acid residue selected from Ile at position 2, Val at position 3, Pro at position 15, Gln at position 50, and Gln at position 105 in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14 is substituted with another amino acid residue.

Preferable examples of VH contained in the humanized antibody of the present invention include, for example, VH comprising an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18, Gln at position 46, Met at position 48, Val at position 49, Ser at position 77, Val at position 93, and Arg at position 98 in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12 are substituted with other amino acid residues.

In addition, VH selected from the following (1) to (6) is also preferable as VH contained in the humanized antibody of the present invention:

(1) VH comprising an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46, Met at position 48, Val at position 49, Ser at position 77, Val at position 93, and Arg at position 98 in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12 are substituted with other amino acid residues; (2) VH comprising an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46, Met at position 48, Val at position 49, Val at position 93, and Arg at position 98 in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12 are substituted with other amino acid residues; (3) VH comprising an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46, Met at position 48, Val at position 49, Ser at position 77, and Arg at position 98 in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12 are substituted with other amino acid residues; (4) VH comprising an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46, Met at position 48, Val at position 49, and Arg at position 98 in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12 are substituted with other amino acid residues; (5) VH comprising an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46, Met at position 48, and Val at position 49 in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12 are substituted with other amino acid residues; (6) VH comprising an amino acid sequence in which Met at position 48, and Val at position 49 in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12 are substituted with other amino acid residues.

Examples of the amino acid sequence of VH include an amino acid sequence in which at least one modification selected from modifications of substituting Leu at position 18 with Arg, Gln at position 46 with Glu, Met at position 48 with Val, Val at position 49 with Ala, Ser at position 77 with Asn, Val at position 93 with Met, and Arg at position 98 with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12 is introduced.

More specific examples of the amino acid sequence of VH include the amino acid sequences in which the following seven to one modification is introduced.

Specific examples of the amino acid sequence of VH in which seven substitutions are introduced include an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12.

Specific examples of the amino acid sequence of VH in which six substitutions are introduced include the following (1) to (7) amino acid sequences:

(1) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (2) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (3) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (4) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (5) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (6) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (7) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12.

Specific examples of the amino acid sequence of VH in which five substitutions are introduced include the following (1) to (21) amino acid sequences, for example:

(1) an amino acid sequence in which Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Set at position 77 is substituted with Asn, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (2) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (3) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (4) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (5) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (6) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (7) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (8) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (9) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (10) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (11) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 12; (12) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (13) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (14) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (15) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (16) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (17) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Set at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (18) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (19) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (20) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (21) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, and Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12.

Specific examples of the amino acid sequence of VH in which four substitutions are introduced include the following (1) to (35) amino acid sequences:

(1) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, and Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (2) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, and Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (3) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (4) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (5) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, and Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (6) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ma, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (7) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (8) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (9) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (10) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (11) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, and Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (12) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (13) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (14) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (15) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (16) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (17) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (18) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (19) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (20) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (21) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, and Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (22) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (23) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (24) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (25) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (26) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (27) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (28) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (29) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Gln, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (30) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (31) an amino acid sequence in which Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (32) an amino acid sequence in which Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (33) an amino acid sequence in which Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (34) an amino acid sequence in which Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (35) an amino acid sequence in which Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12.

Specific examples of the amino acid sequence of VH in which three substitutions are introduced include the following (1) to (35) amino acid sequences, for example:

(1) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, and Met at position 48 is substituted with Val in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (2) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 118 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, and Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (3) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 118 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, and Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (4) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 118 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (5) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 118 is substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (6) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 118 is substituted with Arg, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, and Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (7) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 118 is substituted with Arg, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, and Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (8) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 118 is substituted with Arg, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (9) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 118 is substituted with Arg, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (10) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 118 is substituted with Arg, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, and Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (11) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 118 is substituted with Arg, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (12) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 118 is substituted with Arg, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (13) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 118 is substituted with Arg, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (14) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 118 is substituted with Arg, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (15) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 118 is substituted with Arg, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (16) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 146 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, and Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (17) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 146 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, and Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (18) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 146 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (19) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 146 is substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (20) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 146 is substituted with Glu, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, and Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (21) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 146 is substituted with Glu, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (22) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 146 is substituted with Glu, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (23) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 146 is substituted with Glu, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (24) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 146 is substituted with Glu, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (25) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 146 is substituted with Glu, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (26) an amino acid sequence in which Met at position 148 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, and Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (27) an amino acid sequence in which Met at position 148 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (28) an amino acid sequence in which Met at position 148 is substituted with Val, Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (29) an amino acid sequence in which Met at position 148 is substituted with Val, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (30) an amino acid sequence in which Met at position 148 is substituted with Val, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (31) an amino acid sequence in which Met at position 148 is substituted with Val, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (32) an amino acid sequence in which Val at position 149 is substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (33) an amino acid sequence in which Val at position 149 is substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (34) an amino acid sequence in which Val at position 149 is substituted with Ala, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (35) an amino acid sequence in which Ser at position 177 is substituted with Asn, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12.

Specific examples of the amino acid sequence of VH in which two substitutions are introduced include the following (1) to (21) amino acid sequences, for example:

(1) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, and Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (2) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, and Met at position 48 is substituted with Val in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (3) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, and Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (4) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, and Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (5) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (6) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (7) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, and Met at position 48 is substituted with Val in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (8) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, and Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (9) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, and Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (10) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (11) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (12) an amino acid sequence in which Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, and Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (13) an amino acid sequence in which Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, and Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (14) an amino acid sequence in which Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (15) an amino acid sequence in which Met at position 48 is substituted with Val, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (16) an amino acid sequence in which Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, and Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (17) an amino acid sequence in which Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (18) an amino acid sequence in which Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (19) an amino acid sequence in which Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (20) an amino acid sequence in which Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (21) an amino acid sequence in which Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12.

Specific examples of the amino acid sequence of VH in which a substitution is introduced include the following (1) to (5) amino acid sequences, for example:

(1) an amino acid sequence in which Leu at position 18 is substituted with Arg in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (2) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu and Met at position 48 is substituted with Val in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (3) an amino acid sequence in which Val at position 49 is substituted with Ala and Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (4) an amino acid sequence in which Val at position 93 is substituted with Met in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12; (5) an amino acid sequence in which Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12.

Among the above amino acid sequences of VH, the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12, an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12, and an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 46 is substituted with Glu, Ser at position 77 is substituted with Asn, Val at position 93 is substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12 are preferable.

Preferable examples of VL contained in the humanized antibody of the present invention include, for example, VL comprising an amino acid sequence in which Ile at position 2, Val at position 3, Pro at position 15, Gln at position 50, and Gln at position 105 in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14 are substituted with other amino acid residues.

In addition, VL comprising the amino acid sequence selected from the following (1) to (6) is also preferable as VL contained in the humanized antibody of the present invention:

(1) VL comprising an amino acid sequence in which Ile at position 2, Pro at position 15, Gln at position 50, and Gln at position 105 in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14 are substituted with other amino acid residues; (2) VL comprising an amino acid sequence in which Ile at position 2, Pro at position 15, and Gln at position 50 in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14 are substituted with other amino acid residues; (3) VL comprising an amino acid sequence in which Pro at position 15, and Gln at position 50 in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14 are substituted with other amino acid residues; (4) VL comprising an amino acid sequence in which Ile at position 2 in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14 is substituted with another amino acid residue; (5) VL comprising an amino acid sequence in which Pro at position 15 in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14 is substituted with another amino acid residue; (6) VL comprising an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 50 in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14 is substituted with another amino acid residue.

The above amino acid sequence of the VL include, for example, an amino acid sequence in which at least one modification selected from modifications of substituting Ile at position 2 with Val, Val at position 3 with Leu, Pro at position 15 with Leu, Gln at position 50 with Lys, and Gln at position 105 with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14 is introduced.

More specific examples of the amino acid sequence of the VL in the antibody of the present invention in which the above modifications are introduced include, for example, the amino acid sequence of the VL in which the following five to one substitutions are introduced.

Specific examples of the amino acid sequence of VL in which five substitutions are introduced include an amino acid sequence in which Ile at position 2 is substituted with Val, Val at position 3 is substituted with Leu, Pro at position 15 is substituted with Leu, Gln at position 50 is substituted with Lys, and Gln at position 105 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14.

Specific examples of the amino acid sequence of VL in which four substitutions are introduced include the following (1) to (5) amino acid sequences:

(1) an amino acid sequence in which Val at position 3 is substituted with Leu, Pro at position 15 is substituted with Leu, Gln at position 50 is substituted with Lys, and Gln at position 105 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (2) an amino acid sequence in which Ile at position 2 is substituted with Val, Pro at position 15 is substituted with Leu, Gln at position 50 is substituted with Lys, and Gln at position 105 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (3) an amino acid sequence in which Ile at position 2 is substituted with Val, Val at position 3 is substituted with Leu, Gln at position 50 is substituted with Lys, and Gln at position 105 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (4) an amino acid sequence in which Ile at position 2 is substituted with Val, Val at position 3 is substituted with Leu, Pro at position 15 is substituted with Leu, and Gln at position 105 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (5) an amino acid sequence in which Ile at position 2 is substituted with Val, Val at position 3 is substituted with Leu, Pro at position 15 is substituted with Leu, and Gln at position 50 is substituted with Lys in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14.

Specific examples of the amino acid sequence of VL in which three substitutions are introduced include the following (1) to (10) amino acid sequences:

(1) an amino acid sequence in which Ile at position 2 is substituted with Val, Val at position 3 is substituted with Leu, and Pro at position 15 is substituted with Leu in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (2) an amino acid sequence in which Ile at position 2 is substituted with Val, Val at position 3 is substituted with Leu, and Gln at position 50 is substituted with Lys in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (3) an amino acid sequence in which Ile at position 2 is substituted with Val, Val at position 3 is substituted with Leu, and Gln at position 105 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (4) an amino acid sequence in which Ile at position 2 is substituted with Val, Pro at position 15 is substituted with Leu, and Gln at position 50 is substituted with Lys in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (5) an amino acid sequence in which Ile at position 2 is substituted with Val, Pro at position 15 is substituted with Leu, and Gln at position 105 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (6) an amino acid sequence in which Ile at position 2 is substituted with Val, Gln at position 50 is substituted with Lys, and Gln at position 105 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (7) an amino acid sequence in which Val at position 3 is substituted with Leu, Pro at position 15 is substituted with Leu, and Gln at position 50 is substituted with Lys in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (8) an amino acid sequence in which Val at position 3 is substituted with Leu, Pro at position 15 is substituted with Leu, and Gln at position 105 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (9) an amino acid sequence in which Val at position 3 is substituted with Leu, Gln at position 50 is substituted with Lys, and Gln at position 105 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (10) an amino acid sequence in which Pro at position 15 is substituted with Leu, Gln at position 50 is substituted with Lys, and Gln at position 105 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14.

Specific examples of the amino acid sequence of VL in which two substitutions are introduced include the following (1) to (10) amino acid sequences:

(1) an amino acid sequence in which Ile at position 2 is substituted with Val, and Val at position 3 is substituted with Leu in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (2) an amino acid sequence in which Ile at position 2 is substituted with Val, and Pro at position 15 is substituted with Leu in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (3) an amino acid sequence in which Ile at position 2 is substituted with Val, Gln at position 50 is substituted with Lys in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (4) an amino acid sequence in which Ile at position 2 is substituted with Val, and Gln at position 105 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (5) an amino acid sequence in which Val at position 3 is substituted with Leu, and Pro at position 15 is substituted with Leu in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (6) an amino acid sequence in which Val at position 3 is substituted with Leu, and Gln at position 50 is substituted with Lys in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (7) an amino acid sequence in which Val at position 3 is substituted with Leu, and Gln at position 105 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (8) an amino acid sequence in which Pro at position 15 is substituted with Leu, and Gln at position 50 is substituted with Lys in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (9) an amino acid sequence in which Pro at position 15 is substituted with Leu, and Gln at position 105 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (10) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 50 is substituted with Lys, and Gln at position 105 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14.

Specific examples of the amino acid sequence of VL in which a substitution is introduced include the following (1) to (5) amino acid sequences, for example:

(1) an amino acid sequence in which Ile at position 2 is substituted with Val in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (2) an amino acid sequence in which Val at position 3 is substituted with Leu in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (3) an amino acid sequence in which Pro at position 15 is substituted with Leu in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (4) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 50 is substituted with Lys in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (5) an amino acid sequence in which Gln at position 105 is substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14.

Among the above amino acid sequences of VL, the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14, an amino acid sequence in which Pro at position 15 is substituted with Leu in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14, and an amino acid sequence in which Ile at position 2 is substituted with Val, Pro at position 15 is substituted with Leu, and Gln at position 50 is substituted with Lys in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14 are preferable.

Specific examples of the antibody of the present invention include any of the antibodies each of which is obtained by combining the above mentioned VH and VL, respectively.

Preferable examples of the antibody of the present invention include the following antibodies (1) to (4), for example:

(1) a humanized antibody comprising VH which comprises the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12 and VL which comprises the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (2) a humanized antibody comprising VH which comprises the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12 and VL which comprises any one of the amino acid sequences shown in FIG. 2; (3) a humanized antibody comprising VH which comprises any one of the amino acid sequences shown in FIG. 1 and VL which comprises the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (4) a humanized antibody comprising VH which comprises any one of the amino acid sequences shown in FIG. 1 and VL which comprises any one of the amino acid sequences shown in FIG. 2.

Among the amino acid sequences of the VH shown in FIG. 1, 4H5HV0, HV5a, and HV6 are preferable. In addition, among the amino acid sequences of the VL shown in FIG. 2, 4H5LV0, LV1b, and LV3 are preferable.

Accordingly, as the humanized antibody comprising VH which comprises any one of the amino acid sequences shown in FIG. 1 and VL which comprises any one of the amino acid sequences shown in FIG. 2, the humanized antibody comprising VH which comprises any one of the amino acid sequences among 4H5HV0, HV5a, and HV6 shown in FIG. 1 and VL which comprises any one of the amino acid sequences among 4H5LV0, LV1b, and LV3 shown in FIG. 2 is preferable.

Specifically, examples include the humanized antibody comprising VH which comprises any one of the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs:12, 15, and 16 and VL which comprises any one of the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs:14, 17 and 18.

As the combination of the amino acid sequence of VH shown in FIG. 1 and the amino acid sequence of VL shown in FIG. 2, the combinations of HV0 and LV0, HV5a and LV0, HV5a and LV1b, HV5a and LV3, HV6 and LV0, HV6 and LV1b, and HV6 and LV3 are preferable.

Accordingly, as the antibody of the present invention, the following humanized antibodies (1) to (7) are more preferable:

(1) a humanized antibody (HV0LV0) comprising VH which comprises the amino acid sequence represented as HV0 in FIG. 1 and VL which comprises the amino acid sequence represented as LV0 in FIG. 2; (2) a humanized antibody (HV5aLV0) comprising VH which comprises the amino acid sequence represented as HV5a in FIG. 1 and VL which comprises the amino acid sequence represented as LV0 in FIG. 2; (3) a humanized antibody (HV5aLV1b) comprising VH which comprises the amino acid sequence represented as HV5a in FIG. 1 and VL which comprises the amino acid sequence represented as LV1b in FIG. 2; (4) a humanized antibody (HV5aLV3) comprising VH which comprises the amino acid sequence represented as HV5a in FIG. 1 and VL which comprises the amino acid sequence represented as LV3 in FIG. 2; (5) a humanized antibody (HV6LV0) comprising VH which comprises the amino acid sequence represented as HV6 in FIG. 1 and VL which comprises the amino acid sequence represented as LV0 in FIG. 2; (6) a humanized antibody (HV6LV1b) comprising VH which comprises the amino acid sequence represented as HV6 in FIG. 1 and VL which comprises the amino acid sequence represented as LV1b in FIG. 2; (7) a humanized antibody (HV6LV3) comprising VH which comprises the amino acid sequence represented as HV6 in FIG. 1 and VL which comprises the amino acid sequence represented as LV3 in FIG. 2.

Specific examples of the above antibodies include the humanized antibodies whose combinations of the amino acid sequences contained in VH and VL are the following (1) to (7):

(1) the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12 and the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (2) the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:15 and the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (3) the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:15 and the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:17; (4) the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:15 and the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:18; (5) the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:16 and the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14; (6) the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:16 and the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:17; (7) the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:16 and the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:18.

In addition, examples of the humanized antibody of the present invention includes a humanized antibody which competes with the above humanized antibody in the binding of an Aβ oligomer and a humanized antibody which binds to an epitope which is the same as the epitope recognized by the above humanized antibody.

In the present invention, a human antibody is originally an antibody naturally existing in the human body, and it also includes antibodies obtained from a human antibody phage library or a human antibody-producing transgenic animal, and the like, which are prepared based on the recent advance in genetic engineering, cell engineering and developmental engineering techniques.

The antibody existing in the human body can be prepared, for example by isolating a human peripheral blood lymphocyte, immortalizing it by infecting with EB virus or the like and then cloning it to thereby obtain lymphocytes capable of producing the antibody, culturing the lymphocytes thus obtained, and purifying the antibody from the supernatant of the culture.

The human antibody phage library is a library in which antibody fragments such as Fab and scFv are expressed on the phage surface by inserting a gene encoding an antibody prepared from a human B cell into a phage gene.

A phage expressing an antibody fragment having the desired antigen binding activity on the cell surface can be recovered from the library, using its activity to bind to an antigen-immobilized substrate as the index. The antibody fragment can be converted further into a human antibody molecule comprising two full H chains and two full L chains by genetic engineering techniques.

A human antibody-producing transgenic animal is an animal in which a human antibody gene is integrated into cells. Specifically, a human antibody-producing transgenic animal can be prepared by introducing a gene encoding a human antibody into a mouse ES cell, grafting the ES cell into an early stage embryo of other mouse and then developing it into a complete animal. A human antibody derived from the human antibody-producing transgenic non-human animal can be prepared by obtaining a human antibody-producing hybridoma by a hybridoma preparation method usually carried out in non-human mammals, culturing the obtained hybridoma and producing and accumulating the human antibody in the supernatant of the culture.

An antibody or antibody fragment thereof in which one or more amino acids are deleted, substituted, inserted or added into the amino acid sequence constituting the above antibody or antibody fragment, having activity similar to the above antibody or antibody fragment is also included in the antibody or antibody fragment of the present invention.

The number of amino acid residues which are deleted, substituted, inserted and/or added is one or more, and is not specifically limited, but it is within the range where deletion, substitution or addition is possible by known methods such as the site-directed mutagenesis described in Molecular Cloning, Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1989); Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons (1987-1997); Nucleic Acids Research, 10, 6487 (1982), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 79, 6409 (1982); Gene, 34, 315 (1985), Nucleic Acids Research, 13, 4431 (1985); Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82, 488 (1985) and the like. For example, the number is 1 to dozens, preferably 1 to 20, more preferably 1 to 10, and most preferably 1 to 5.

Deleting, substituting, inserting or adding one or more amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of the above antibody means the followings. That is, it means there is deletion, substitution, insertion or addition of one or plural amino acid residues at any positions in one or plural amino acid sequences of the antibody within a single sequence. Also, the deletion, substitution, insertion or addition may occur at the same time and the amino acid which is substituted, inserted or added may be either a natural type or a non-natural type.

The natural type amino acid includes L-alanine, L-asparagine, L-aspartic acid, L-glutamine, L-glutamic acid, glycine, L-histidine, L-isoleucine, L-leucine, L-lysine, L-arginine, L-methionine, L-phenylalanine, L-proline, L-serine, L-threonine, L-tryptophan, L-tyrosine, L-valine, L-cysteine and the like.

Preferable examples of mutually substitutable amino acids are shown below. The amino acids in the same group are mutually substitutable.

-   Group A: leucine, isoleucine, norleucine, valine, norvaline,     alanine, 2-aminobutanoic acid, methionine, O-methylserine,     t-butylglycine, t-butylalanine, cyclohexylalanine -   Group B: aspartic acid, glutamic acid, isoaspartic acid, isoglutamic     acid, 2-aminoadipic acid, 2-aminosuberic acid -   Group C: asparagine, glutamine -   Group D: lysine, arginine, ornithine, 2,4-diaminobutanoic acid,     2,3-diaminopropionic acid -   Group E: proline, 3-hydroxyproline, 4-hydroxyproline -   Group F: serine, threonine, homoserine -   Group G: phenylalanine, tyrosine

The antibody fragment of the present invention includes Fab, F(ab′)₂, Fab′, scFv, diabody, dsFv, a peptide comprising CDR and the like.

An Fab is an antibody fragment having a molecular weight of about 50,000 and having antigen binding activity, in which about a half of the N-terminal side of H chain and the entire L chain, among fragments obtained by treating an IgG antibody molecule with a protease, papain (cleaved at an amino acid residue at position 224 of the H chain), are bound together through a disulfide bond.

The Fab of the present invention can be obtained by treating a monoclonal antibody which specifically recognizes an Aβ oligomer and binds to the extracellular domain, with a protease, papain. Also, the Fab can be produced by inserting DNA encoding Fab of the antibody into an expression vector for prokaryote or an expression vector for eukaryote, and introducing the vector into a prokaryote or eukaryote to express the Fab.

An F(ab′)₂ is an antibody fragment having a molecular weight of about 100,000 and antigen binding activity and comprising two Fab regions which are bound in the hinge portion obtained by digesting the lower part of two disulfide bonds in the hinge region of IgG, with an enzyme, pepsin.

The F(ab′)₂ of the present invention can be obtained by treating a monoclonal antibody which specifically recognizes an Aβ oligomer and binds to the extracellular domain, with a protease, pepsin. Also, the F(ab′)₂ can be produced by binding Fab′ described below via a thioether bond or a disulfide bond.

An Fab′ is an antibody fragment having a molecular weight of about 50,000 and antigen binding activity, which is obtained by cleaving a disulfide bond at the hinge region of the above F(ab′)₂.

The Fab′ of the present invention can be obtained by treating F(ab′)₂ which specifically recognizes an Aβ oligomer and binds to the extracellular domain, with a reducing agent, dithiothreitol.

Also, the Fab′ can be produced by inserting DNA encoding Fab′ fragment of the antibody into an expression vector for prokaryote or an expression vector for eukaryote, and introducing the vector into a prokaryote or eukaryote to express the Fab′.

An scFv is a VH-P-VL or VL-P-VH polypeptide in which a VH chain and a VL chain are linked using an appropriate peptide linker (hereinafter referred to as “P”) and is an antibody fragment having antigen binding activity.

The scFv of the present invention can be produced by obtaining cDNAs encoding VH and VL of a monoclonal antibody which specifically recognizes an Aβ oligomer and binds to the extracellular domain, constructing DNA encoding the scFv, inserting the DNA into an expression vector for prokaryote or an expression vector for eukaryote, and then introducing the expression vector into a prokaryote or eukaryote to express the scFv.

A diabody is an antibody fragment wherein scFv is dimerized, and has divalent antigen binding activity. In the divalent antigen binding activity, two antigens may be the same or different.

The diabody of the present invention can be produced by obtaining cDNAs encoding VH and VL of a monoclonal antibody which specifically recognizes an Aβ oligomer and binds to the extracellular domain, constructing DNA encoding the scFv so that the length of the amino acid sequence of P is 8 or less residues, inserting the DNA into an expression vector for prokaryote or an expression vector for eukaryote, and then introducing the expression vector into a prokaryote or eukaryote to express the diabody.

A dsFv is obtained by binding polypeptides in which one amino acid residue of each of VH and VL is substituted with a cysteine residue via a disulfide bond between the cysteine residues. The amino acid residue to be substituted with a cysteine residue can be selected based on a three-dimensional structure estimation of the antibody in accordance with the method shown by Reiter et al. [Protein Engineering, 7, 697 (1994)].

The dsFv of the present invention can be produced by obtaining cDNAs encoding VH and VL of a monoclonal antibody which specifically recognizes an Aβ oligomer and binds to the extracellular domain, constructing DNA encoding dsFv, inserting the DNA into an expression vector for prokaryote or an expression vector for eukaryote, and then introducing the expression vector into a prokaryote or eukaryote to express the dsFv.

A peptide comprising CDR is constituted by including at least one region or more of CDRs of VH or VL. A Peptide comprising plural CDRs can be produced by connecting CDRs directly or via an appropriate peptide linker.

The peptide comprising CDR of the present invention can be produced by constructing DNA encoding CDRs of VH and VL of a humanized antibody which specifically recognizes an Aβ oligomer of the present invention, inserting the DNA into an expression vector for prokaryote or an expression vector for eukaryote, and then introducing the expression vector into a prokaryote or eukaryote to express the peptide. The peptide comprising CDR can also be produced by a chemical synthesis method such as Fmoc method and tBoc method.

The antibody of the present invention includes an antibody derivative in which the anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody of the present invention or the antibody fragment thereof is chemically or genetically bound to a radioisotope, a low-molecular agent, a high-molecular agent, a protein, a therapeutic antibody and the like.

The antibody derivative of the present invention can be produced by chemically conjugating a radioisotope, a low-molecular agent, a high-molecular agent, a protein, a therapeutic antibody and the like to the N-terminal side or C-terminal side of an H chain or an L chain of the anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody of the present invention or the antibody fragment thereof, an appropriate substituent or side chain in the antibody or the antibody fragment, a sugar chain in the antibody or the antibody fragment or the like [Antibody Engineering Handbook published by Chijin Shokan (1994)].

Also, the antibody derivative of the present invention can be genetically produced by linking a DNA encoding the anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody or the antibody fragment thereof in the present invention to other DNA encoding a protein to be conjugated or DNA encoding a therapeutic antibody, inserting the DNA into a vector for expression, and introducing the expression vector into a host cell.

In the case where the above antibody derivative is used as a detection regent, a regent for quantitative determination or a diagnostic agent for the detection method, quantification method or diagnosis method, respectively, examples of the agent to which the anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody or the antibody fragment thereof in the present invention is conjugated includes a label which is generally used in immunological detecting or measuring method.

The label includes enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase, peroxidase and luciferase, luminescent materials such as acridinium ester and lophine, fluorescent materials such as fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and tetramethyl rhodamine isothiocyanate (RITC), and the like.

Hereinafter, a method for producing the antibody is described.

1. Production of Anti-Aβ Oligomer Monoclonal Antibody

In the present invention, the anti-Aβ oligomer monoclonal antibody can be produced in the following manner.

(1) Preparation of Antigen

As a method for producing an Aβ oligomer as antigens, a synthetic Aβ1-42 (Peptide Institute, Inc. Osaka) is dissolved in deionized distilled water or in 10 mmol/L of phosphate buffer and incubated at 37° C. for 18 hours, and the peptide is separated by 4 to 12% SDS-PAGE, and the resulting material is visualized by CBB staining, only an Aβ1-42 tetramer without contamination of an Aβ1-42 monomer are then collected, and thereby Aβ1-42 oligomers can be produced.

Aβ1-40 oligomers comprising more oligomers can be prepared by chemical conjugation of 6-carboxytetramethylrhodamine (6-TAMRA) (SIGMA) to the N-terminal of the synthesized Aβ-40 peptide using a conventional method, followed by polymerization reaction with the synthetic Aβ1-40 (Peptide Institute, Inc. Osaka).

(2) Immunization of Animals

First, 2.5 μg of Aβ1-42 tetramers or Aβ1-40 oligomers is emulsified by complete Freund's adjuvant. Then, the antigen is immunized on a footpad of a Balb-c mouse. And subsequently, six additional immunizations are performed. The fusion between antibody-producing cells and myeloma cells can be performed in a known method such as a method by Kohler and Milstein, et al. (Kohler. G and Milstein, C., Methods Enzymol. (1981) 73, 3-46). Specifically, immunocytes producing the antibody are obtained from inguinal lymph nodes of a mouse to which the antigen has been immunized.

The immunization is carried out by administering the antigen to the animal through subcutaneous, intravenous or intraperitoneal injection together with an appropriate adjuvant such as complete Freund's adjuvant and combination of aluminum hydroxide gel with pertussis vaccine.

When a partial peptide is used as the antigen, a conjugate with a carrier protein such as BSA (bovine serum albumin) and KLH (keyhole limpet hemocyanin) is produced for use as the antigen.

The animal immunized with an antigen may be any animal, so long as a hybridoma can be prepared, and mouse, rat, hamster, chicken, rabbit or the like is preferably used. Also, the antibody of the present invention includes an antibody produced by a hybridoma obtained by fusing a myeloma cell with the cell having antibody-producing activity derived from such an animal after in vitro immunization.

(3) Preparation of Myeloma Cells

Established cell lines derived from mouse are used as myeloma cells. Examples include 8-azaguanine-resistant murine myeloma cell line (derived from BALB/c) P3-X63Ag8-U1 (P3-U1) [Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology, 18, 1 (1978)], P3-NS1/1-Ag41 (NS-1) [European J Immunology, 6, 511 (1976)], SP2/0-Ag14 (SP-2) [Nature, 276, 269 (1978)], P3-X63-Ag8653 (653) [J. Immunology, 123, 1548 (1979)], P3-X63-Ag8 (X63) [Nature, 256, 495 (1975)] and the like.

The myeloma cells are subcultured in a normal medium [RPMI1640 medium containing glutamine, 2-mercaptoethanol, gentamicin, FBS and 8-azaguanine]. The cells are transferred in the normal medium 3 or 4 days before cell fusion to ensure the cell number of 2×10⁷ or more on the day for fusion.

(4) Cell Fusion and Preparation of Monoclonal Antibody-Producing Hybridomas

A hybridoma can be produced by fusing the antibody-producing cells for fusion obtained in step (2) and the myeloma cells obtained in step (3) using polyethylene glycol 1500.

After the culturing, a portion of the culture supernatant is sampled and subjected to hybridoma screening methods such as dot-blotting and binding assay to identify the cell population producing antibodies which is reactive to Aβ oligomers and not to Aβ monomers as described below. Then, cloning is carried out twice by a limiting dilution method [HT medium (HAT medium without aminopterin) is used in the first round, and the normal medium is used in the second round], and a hybridoma which stably shows a high antibody titer is selected as the monoclonal antibody-producing hybridoma.

(5) Preparation of Purified Monoclonal Antibodies

The hybridoma cells producing a monoclonal antibody obtained by step (4) are administered by intraperitoneal injection into 8- to 10-week-old mice or nude mice which is pretreated with pristane (0.5 mL of 2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane (pristane) is intraperitoneally administered, followed by feeding for 2 weeks).

The hybridoma forms ascites tumor in 10 to 21 days. The ascitic fluid is collected from the mice, centrifuged to remove solids, subjected to salting out with 40 to 50% ammonium sulfate and then precipitated by caprylic acid, passed through a DEAE-Sepharose column, a protein A column or a gel filtration column to collect IgG or IgM fractions as purified monoclonal antibodies.

(6) Selection of Monoclonal Antibodies

As a method of screening the antibody, it is possible to exemplify a method of selecting the antibody using a binding activity of the antibody to the Aβ oligomer as an index.

The binding activity of the antibody of the present invention against the antigen (Aβ oligomer) can be analyzed using at least one of the methods such as absorbance measurement method, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method (dot blot method, ELISA), enzyme immunoassay method (EIA), radioimmunoassay method (RIA), immunofluorescence method and Biacore (Biacore Life Science) using the surface plasmon resonance method (SPR method).

Specifically, the binding of the anti-Aβ oligomer monoclonal antibody to the Aβ oligomer can be determined by the dot blot method in which 2.5 μl of Aβ1-42 (2.5 μg/dot) is pre-incubated for 18 hours, followed by being immobilized on a nitrocellulose membrane. After blocking the non-specific binding site on the membrane with phosphate buffer solution containing 5% of reduced-fat milk, 1% of BSA and 0.05% of Tween-20, the membrane is incubated with culture solution supernatant, and thereby the Aβ oligomer binding antibody in the culture solution supernatant can be detected by horseradish peroxidase labelled goat anti-mouse F(ab′)₂ (1:3000; Amersham) using a enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) kit and LAS3000mini (Fujitsu, Tokyo, Japan) (WO 2009/051220).

The ELISA is carried out by immobilizing the antibody onto a plate, adding an antigen against the antibody onto the plate, and adding a sample containing desirable antibodies such as the culture supernatant of the cells producing the antibody and the purified antibody. Next, a secondary antibody which recognizes the primary antibody and is tagged by an enzyme such as alkaline phosphatase is added thereto, and the plate is incubated. After washing, an enzyme substrate such as p-nitrophenylphosphate is added to the plate and the absorbance is measured to evaluate the antigen binding ability of the target sample.

In addition, the reactivity of the antibody can also be determined by using the sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay using chemiluminescence (chemiluminescence-ELISA) in order to specifically detect Aβ oligomers and not to detect Aβ monomers in the present invention (WO 2009/051220).

In addition, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the monoclonal antibody which has been administered to the periphery of a mouse in vivo, HRP-labelled 4H5 (Senetek PLC, Napa, Calif., USA) human-specific oligomer ELISA can be carried out for Aβ oligomer analysis of plasma and organ collected from the administered mouse in the present invention (WO 2009/051220).

Moreover, it is possible to determine whether the anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody of the present invention can bind to Aβ oligomers in AD brains by performing the immunoprecipitation experiment (Ghiso J, et al.: Biochem J, 1993) with an amyloid fraction (Matsubara E, et al.: Neurobiol Aging, 2004) containing a large amount of Aβ oligomers (WO 2009/051220).

(7) Evaluation of Anti-Aβ Oligomer Antibody Activity

In the present invention, it is possible to determine that the anti-Aβ oligomer antibody specifically binds to Aβ oligomers and has a cytoprotective activity by the Aβ incubation for Thioflavin (ThT) assay, the Aβ-induced neurotoxicity assay, and measurement of the reactivity against Aβ oligomers with plural molecule sizes fractioned by the ultrafiltration and the gel filtration, all of which are disclosed in Yamamoto N, et al.: J. Biol. Chem., 282:2646-2655, 2007 or WO 2009/051220.

Furthermore, the Aβ amyloid fiber formation suppressing activity can be determined using ThT assay and electron microscope analysis.

In the present invention, the Aβ oligomer-trapping ability of both the antibodies in AD brains can be measured by determining the existence of SDS-stable 4-, 5-, 8-, 12-mer in immunoprecipitation using the anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody.

Moreover, in the present invention, examples of a method for determining the ability for the prophylaxis of the AD-like pathogenesis in an APPswe-transgenic mouse (Tg2576) include a method in which the humanized antibody of the present invention is administered to the mouse to examine whether or not the AD-like pathogenesis such as memory disorder, neuritic plaque lesions, synapse dysfunction, and Aβ accumulation can be prevented (WO 2009/051220).

2. Preparation of Recombinant Antibody

The method for producing a transformant to stably express a recombinant antibody and the recombinant antibody can be carried out as below.

(1) Construction of Vector for Expression of Recombinant Antibody

A vector for expression of recombinant antibody is an expression vector for animal cell into which DNAs encoding CH and CL of a human antibody have been inserted, and is constructed by cloning each of DNAs encoding CH and CL of a human antibody into an expression vector for animal cell.

The C region of a human antibody may be CH and CL of any human antibody. Examples include CH belonging to γ1 subclass, CL belonging to κ class, and the like. As the DNAs encoding CH and CL of a human antibody, a chromosomal DNA comprising an exon and an intron or cDNA can be used.

As the expression vector for animal cell, any expression vector can be used, so long as a gene encoding the C region of a human antibody can be inserted thereinto and expressed therein. Examples include pAGE107 [Cytotechnol., 3, 133 (1990)], pAGE103 [J. Biochem., 101, 1307 (1987)], pHSG274 [Gene, 27, 223 (1984)], pKCR [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 78, 1527 (1981)], pSG1bd2-4 [Cytotechnol., 4, 173 (1990)], pSE1UK1Sed1-3 [Cytotechnol., 13, 79 (1993)] and the like.

Examples of a promoter and enhancer used for an expression vector for animal cell include an SV40 early promoter [J. Biochem., 101, 1307 (1987)], a Moloney mouse leukemia virus LTR [Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 149, 960 (1987)], an immunoglobulin H chain promoter [Cell, 41, 479 (1985)] and enhancer [Cell, 33, 717 (1983)] and the like.

The vector for expression of recombinant antibody may be either of a type in which a gene encoding an antibody H chain and a gene encoding an antibody L chain exist on separate vectors or of a type in which both genes exist on the same vector (tandem type). In respect of easiness of construction of a vector for expression of recombinant antibody, easiness of introduction into animal cells, and balance between the expression amounts of antibody H and L chains in animal cells, a tandem type of the vector for expression of recombinant antibody is more preferred [J. Immunol. Methods, 167, 271 (1994)].

Examples of the tandem type of the vector for expression of recombinant antibody include pKANTEX93 (WO 97/10354), pEE18 [Hybridoma, 17, 559 (1998)], and the like.

(2) Preparation of cDNA Encoding V Region of Antibody Derived from Non-Human Animal and Analysis of Amino Acid Sequence

mRNA is extracted from hybridoma cells producing an antibody derived from a non-human animal to synthesize cDNA. The synthesized cDNA is cloned into a vector and the sequence analysis using a DNA sequencer is carried out to determine the nucleotide sequences encoding VH and VL.

Whether the obtained cDNAs encode the full amino acid sequences of VL and VL of the antibody containing a secretory signal sequence can be confirmed by estimating the full length of the amino acid sequences of VH and VL from the determined nucleotide sequence and comparing them with the full length of the amino acid sequences of VH and VL of known antibodies [Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, US Dept. Health and Human Services (1991)].

The length of the secretory signal sequence and N-terminal amino acid sequence can be deduced by comparing the full length of the amino acid sequences of VH and VL of the antibody comprising a secretory signal sequence with full length of the amino acid sequences of VH and VL of known antibodies [Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, US Dept. Health and Human Services (1991)], and the subgroup to which they belong can also be known.

Furthermore, the amino acid sequence of each of CDRs of VH and VL can be found by comparing the obtained amino acid sequences with amino acid sequences of VH and VL of known antibodies [Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, US Dept. Health and Human Services (1991)].

(3) Construction of Vector for Expression of Human Chimeric Antibody

cDNAs encoding VH and VL of antibody of non-human animal are cloned in the upstream of genes encoding CH or CL of human antibody of vector for expression of recombinant antibody mentioned in the above (1) to thereby construct a vector for expression of human chimeric antibody.

For example, cDNAs encoding VH and VL are designed and constructed to comprise the linker sequences encoding appropriate amino acids and having appropriate recognition sites of restriction enzyme so as to produce a connection between the 3′-end of a cDNA of VH or VL derived from a non-human animal antibody and the 5′-end of CH or CL derived from a human antibody.

The resultant each cDNA encoding VH and VL is cloned so that each of them is expressed in an appropriate form in the upstream of gene encoding CH or CL of human antibody of the vector for expression of humanized antibody mentioned in the above (1) to construct a vector for expression of human chimeric antibody.

In addition, cDNA encoding VH or VL of non-human animal is amplified by PCR using a synthetic DNA having a recognition sequence of an appropriate restriction enzyme at both terminals and each of them is cloned to the vector for expression of recombinant antibody mentioned in the above (1).

(4) Construction of cDNA Encoding V Region of Humanized Antibody

cDNAs encoding VH or VL of a humanized antibody can be obtained as follows.

First, amino acid sequences of framework region (hereinafter referred to as “FR”) in VH or VL of a human antibody to which amino acid sequences of CDRs in VH or VL of an antibody derived from a non-human animal antibody are transplanted are selected. Any amino acid sequences of FR in VH or VL of a human antibody can be used, so long as they are from human.

Examples include amino acid sequences of FRs in VH or VL of human antibodies registered in database such as Protein Data Bank, amino acid sequences common to subgroups of FRs in VH or VL of human antibodies [Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, US Dept. Health and Human Services (1991)] and the like.

In order to inhibit the binding activity of the antibody, amino acid sequences having high homology (at least 60% or more) with the amino acid sequence of FR in VH or VL of the original antibody is selected.

Then, amino acid sequences of CDRs of VII or VL of the original antibody are grafted to the selected amino acid sequence of FR in VH or VL of the human antibody, respectively, to design each amino acid sequence of VH or VL of a humanized antibody.

The designed amino acid sequences are converted to DNA sequences by considering the frequency of codon usage found in nucleotide sequences of genes of antibodies [Sequence of Proteins of Immunological Interest, US Dept. Health and Human Services (1991)], and the DNA sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of VH or VL of a humanized antibody is designed.

(5) Modification of Amino Acid Sequence of V Region of Humanized Antibody

It is known that when a humanized antibody is constructed by simply grafting only CDRs in VH and VL of an antibody derived from a non-human animal into FRs of VH and VL of a human antibody, its antigen binding activity is lower than that of the original antibody derived from a non-human animal [BIO/TECHNOLOGY, 9, 266 (1991)].

In humanized antibodies, among the amino acid sequences of FRs in VH and VL of a human antibody, amino acid residues which directly relate to binding to an antigen, amino acid residues which interact with amino acid residues in CDR, and amino acid residues which maintain the three-dimensional structure of an antibody and indirectly relate to binding to an antigen are identified and modified to amino acid residues which are found in the original non-human antibody to thereby increase the antigen binding activity which has been decreased.

In order to identify the amino acid residues relating to the antigen binding activity in FR, the three-dimensional structure of an antibody is constructed for analysis by X-ray crystallography [J. Mol. Biol., 112, 535 (1977)], computer-modeling [Protein Engineering, 7, 1501 (1994)], and the like.

In addition, a modified humanized antibody having appropriate antigen-binding activity can be identified by repetition of various attempts for producing several kinds of modification of each antibody and examining the correlation between each of the modified antibodies and its antigen binding activity.

The modification of the amino acid sequence of FR in VH and VL of a human antibody can be accomplished using various synthetic DNA for modification according to PCR as described in (4). With regard to the amplified product obtained by the PCR, the nucleotide sequence is determined according to the method as described in (2) so that whether the objective modification has been carried out is confirmed.

(6) Construction of Vector for Expression of Humanized Antibody

A vector for expression of humanized antibody can be constructed by cloning each cDNA encoding VH or VL of a constructed recombinant antibody into upstream of each gene encoding CH or CL of the human antibody in the vector for expression of recombinant antibody as described in (1).

For example, when recognition sequences of appropriate restriction enzymes are introduced to the 5′-end of synthetic DNAs positioned at both ends among synthetic DNAs used for the construction of VH or VL of the humanized antibody in (4) and (5), to enable to clone the VH and VL in the upstream of each gene encoding CH or CL of the human antibody in the expression vector for humanized antibody as described in the above (1), so as to express them as an appropriate form.

(7) Transient Expression of Recombinant Antibody

In order to efficiently evaluate the antigen binding activity of various humanized antibodies produced, the recombinant antibodies can be expressed transiently using the vector for expression of recombinant antibody as described in (3) and (6) or the modified expression vector thereof.

Any cell can be used as a host cell for introduction of the expression vector, so long as the host cell can express a recombinant antibody. Generally, COS-7 cell (ATCC CRL1651) is used [Methods in Nucleic Acids Res., CRC Press, 283 (1991)]. Examples of the method for introducing the expression vector into COS-7 cell include a DEAE-dextran method [Methods in Nucleic Acids Res., CRC Press, 283 (1991)], a lipofection method [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 84, 7413 (1987)], and the like.

(8) Establishment of Transformant which Stably Expresses Recombinant Antibody and Preparation of Recombinant Antibody

A transformant which stably expresses a recombinant antibody can be obtained by introducing the vector for expression of recombinant antibody described in (3) and (6) into an appropriate host cell.

Examples of the method for introducing the expression vector into a host cell include electroporation [Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 257891/90, Cytotechnology, 3, 133 (1990)] and the like.

As the host cell into which a vector for expression of a recombinant antibody is introduced, any cell can be used, so long as it is a host cell which can express the recombinant antibody. Examples include CHO-K1 (ATCC CCL-61), DUKXB11 (ATCC CCL-9096), Pro-5 (ATCC CCL-1781), CHO-S (Life Technologies, Cat. No. 11619), rat YB2/3HL.P2.G11.16Ag.20 cell (also referred to as YB2/0; ATCC CRL1662), murine myeloma NS0, murine myeloma SP2/0-Ag14 cell (ATCC CRL1581), murine P3X63-Ag8.653 cell (ATCC CRL1580), CHO cell in which a dihydrofolate reductase gene (hereinafter referred to as “dhfr”) is deficient [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 77, 4216 (1980)], lectin resistant line Lec13 [Somatic Cell and Molecular genetics, 12, 55 (1986)], CHO cell in which α1,6-fucosyltransaferse gene is deficient (WO 2005/35586, WO 02/31140), and the like.

In addition, host cells in which activity of a protein such as an enzyme relating to synthesis of an intracellular sugar nucleotide, GDP-fucose, a protein such as an enzyme relating to the modification of a sugar chain in which 1-position of fucose is bound to 6-position of N-acetylglucosamine in the reducing end through α-bond in a complex type N-glycoside-linked sugar chain, or a protein relating to transport of an intracellular sugar nucleotide, GDP-fucose, to the Golgi body is decreased or deleted, such as CHO cell in which α1,6-fucosyltransferase gene is defected as described in WO05/35586, WO02/31140 or the like, can also be used.

After introduction of the expression vector, transformants which stably express a recombinant antibody are selected by culturing in a medium for animal cell culture containing an agent such as G418 sulfate (hereinafter referred to as “G418”) or the like (Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 257891/90).

Examples of the medium for animal cell culture include RPMI1640 medium (manufactured by Invitrogen), GIT medium (manufactured by Nihon Pharmaceutical), EX-CELL301 medium (manufactured by JRH), IMDM medium (manufactured by Invitrogen), Hybridoma-SFM medium (manufactured by Invitrogen), a derivative medium thereof containing various additives such as FBS.

The recombinant antibody can be produced and accumulated in a culture supernatant by culturing the selected transformants in a medium. The expression amount and the antigen binding activity of the recombinant antibody in the culture supernatant can be measured by ELISA or the like.

Also, in the transformant, the expression amount of the recombinant antibody can be increased by using DHFR amplification system or the like according to the method disclosed in Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 257891/90.

The recombinant antibody can be purified from the culture supernatant of the transformant by protein A column [Monoclonal Antibodies-Principles and practice, Third edition, Academic Press (1996), Antibodies-A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (1988)].

For example, the recombinant antibody can be purified by a combination of gel filtration, ion-exchange chromatography, ultrafiltration and the like.

The molecular weight of the H chain or the L chain of the purified recombinant antibody or the antibody molecule as a whole is determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (hereinafter referred to as “SDS-PAGE”) [Nature, 227, 680 (1970)], Western blotting [Monoclonal Antibodies-Principles and practice, Third edition, Academic Press (1996), Antibodies-A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (1988)], and the like.

3. Method of Controlling Effector Activity of Antibody

As a method for controlling an effector activity of the anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody of the present invention, a method for controlling an amount of fucose (hereinafter, referred to also as “core fucose”) which is bound in α-1,6 linkage to N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) present in a reducing end of a complex type N-linked sugar chain which is bound to asparagine (Asn) at position 297 of an Fc region of an antibody (WO2005/035586, WO2002/31140, and WO00/61739), a method for controlling an effector activity of a monoclonal antibody by modifying amino acid group(s) of an Fc region of the antibody, a method for exchanging a subclass of the antibody and the like are known. The effector activity of the anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody of the present invention can be controlled by using any of the methods.

The “effector activity” means an antibody-dependent activity which is induced via an Fc region of an antibody. As the effector activity, an antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC activity), a complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC activity), an antibody-dependent phagocytosis (ADP activity) by phagocytic cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells, and the like are known.

By controlling a content of core fucose of a complex type N-linked sugar chain of Fc of an antibody, an effector activity of the antibody can be increased or decreased. As a method for reducing a content of fucose which is bound to a complex type N-linked sugar chain bound to Fc of the antibody, an antibody to which fucose is not bound can be obtained by the expression of an antibody using a CHO cell which is deficient in a gene encoding α1,6-fucosyltransferase. The antibody to which fucose is not bound has a high ADCC activity.

On the other hand, according to a method for increasing a content of fucose which is bound to a complex type N-linked sugar chain bound to Fc of an antibody, an antibody to which fucose is bound can be obtained by the expression of an antibody using a host cell into which a gene encoding α1,6-fucosyltransferase is introduced. The antibody to which fucose is bound has a lower ADCC activity than the antibody to which fucose is not bound.

Further, by modifying amino acid residue(s) in an Fc region of an antibody, the ADCC activity or CDC activity can be increased or decreased. For example, the CDC activity of an antibody can be increased by using the amino acid sequence of the Fc region described in US2007/0148165. Further, the ADCC activity or CDC activity can be increased or decreased by modifying the amino acid as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,737,056, or 7,297,775 or 7,317,091.

In addition, it is known that among human IgG subclass, the effector activity of IgG2 and IgG4 subclasses is lower than those of IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses. Therefore, the antibody having a lower effector activity can be prepared by replacing Fe region with that of the antibody subclass having a lower effector activity.

With regard to the stabilization of an antibody of IgG2 and IgG4 subclasses, stable IgG2 or IgG4 antibody in which an effector activity is controlled can be prepared using a methods described in WO2006/075668, WO2006/035586 and the like.

Moreover, it is possible to obtain an antibody in which the effector activity of the antibody has been controlled, by using the combination of the above-mentioned methods for one antibody.

4. Treatment Method Using Anti-Aβ Oligomer Antibody of the Present Invention

It has been suggested that the decline in memory accompanying AD relates to the synapse dysfunction caused by soluble Aβ oligomers [Klein W L., 2001. Trends Neurosci; Selkoe D J. 2002, Science]. Accordingly, there is a possibility that excessive accumulation and deposition of Aβ oligomers triggers a complex downstream cascade which results in AD.

In the present invention, the treatment does not necessarily have perfect treatment effects or preventive effects on the organ and the tissue which show the symptoms due to the disorder or disease but may provide a part of these effects.

The treatment of AD in the present invention means improving at least one symptom which may occur due to AD. Examples include the improvement or suppression of the cognitive dysfunction, the improvement or the suppression of the neuritic plaque formation, the improvement or the suppression of synapse dysfunction, and the decrease and the suppression of Aβ accumulation in brain tissues, blood, or the like.

Here, the cognitive dysfunction includes, for example, impaired long-term/short-term memory, impaired object recognition memory, impaired spatial memory, and impaired union emotion memory.

In addition, as a therapeutic method using the anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody of the present invention, examples include a method for suppressing the cognitive dysfunction, a method for suppressing AD, a method for suppressing the progression of AD, a method for suppressing the neuritic plaque formation, a method for suppressing the Aβ accumulation, a method for neutralizing (suppressing) the neurotoxicity activity, a method for inhibiting Aβ amyloid fiber formation, and a method for neutralizing (suppressing) the synapse toxicity activity.

Furthermore, examples of other configurations include a method for at least one of the prevention and the treatment of cognitive dysfunction and a method for at least one of the prevention and the treatment of AD.

The therapeutic agent comprising the monoclonal antibody or antibody fragment of the present invention or derivatives thereof may consist of only the antibody or antibody fragment or derivatives thereof as an active ingredient, and is preferably supplied as a pharmaceutical formulation produced by an appropriate method well known in the technical field of pharmaceutics, by mixing it with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.

Examples of a route of administration include oral administration and parenteral administration, such as buccal, tracheal, rectal, subcutaneous, intramuscular and intravenous administration.

Examples of the dosage form includes sprays, capsules, tablets, powder, granules, syrups, emulsions, suppositories, injections, ointments, tapes and the like.

The pharmaceutical preparation suitable for oral administration includes emulsions, syrups, capsules, tablets, powders, granules and the like.

Liquid preparations such as emulsions and syrups can be produced using, as additives, water; sugars such as sucrose, sorbitol and fructose; glycols such as polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol; oils such as sesame oil, olive oil and soybean oil; antiseptics such as p-hydroxybenzoic acid esters; flavors such as strawberry flavor and peppermint; and the like.

Capsules, tablets, powders, granules and the like can be produced using, as additives, excipients such as lactose, glucose, sucrose and mannitol; disintegrating agents such as starch and sodium alginate; lubricants such as magnesium stearate and talc; binders such as polyvinyl alcohol, hydroxypropylcellulose and gelatin; surfactants such as fatty acid ester; plasticizers such as glycerin; and the like.

The pharmaceutical preparation suitable for parenteral administration includes injections, suppositories, sprays and the like.

Injections can be prepared using a carrier such as a salt solution, a glucose solution and a mixture of both thereof.

Suppositories can be prepared using a carrier such as cacao butter, hydrogenated fat and carboxylic acid.

Sprays can be prepared using the antibody or antibody fragment of the present invention as such or using it together with a carrier which does not stimulate the buccal or airway mucous membrane of the patient and can facilitate absorption of the compound by dispersing it as fine particles.

The carrier includes lactose, glycerol and the like. It is possible to produce pharmaceutical preparations such as aerosols and dry powders.

In addition, the components exemplified as additives for oral preparations can also be added to the parenteral preparations.

Example 1 Preparation of Anti-Aβ Oligomer Humanized Antibody (1) Design of Amino Acid Sequences for VH and VL of Anti-Aβ Oligomer Humanized Antibody

The amino acid sequence of the VH of the anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody was designed as follows.

First, the CDR sequence of the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:8) was determined as the VH of the anti-Aβ oligomer mouse monoclonal antibody 4H5 antibody which was prepared in the reference example, based on the report by Kabat, et al. [Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, US Dept. Health and Human Services (1991)]. As a result, the amino acid sequences of the CDRs 1 to 3 of the VH were set to be the ones represented by SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 3.

Then, in order to implant the amino acid sequences (SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 3) of the CDRs 1 to 3 of the VH, the amino acid sequence of the FR of the VH in the humanized antibody was selected. A humanized antibody sharing a strong homology with 4H5VH was searched for based on the amino acid database for the known proteins by the BLASTP method [Nucleic Acid Res., 25, 3389 (1997)] using GCG Package (Genetics Computer Group) as a sequence analyzing system.

When the homologies between the homology score and the actual amino acid sequences were compared, SWISSPROT data base accession NO: CAA67407, immunoglobulin gamma heavy chain (hereinafter, referred to as CAA67407) showed the homology of 80.5% and was the human antibody with the highest homology, and thereby the amino acid sequence of the FR of this antibody was selected.

The amino acid sequences (SEQ ID NOs:1 to 3) of the CDRs of the VH of 4H5 were grafted at appropriate positions in the thus obtained amino acid sequence of the FR of the humanized antibody. In this manner, the amino acid sequence 4H5HV0 (SEQ ID NO:12) of the VH of the anti-Aβ oligomer 4H5 humanized antibody was designed.

Then, in the same manner as the H chain, the sequences of the CDRs 1 to 3 of the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:10) of the VL were decided as the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs:4 to 6, respectively, and the amino acid sequence of the VL of the anti-Aβ oligomer 4H5 humanized antibody was designed as follows. In order to graft the amino acid sequences (SEQ ID NOs:4 to 6) of the CDRs 1 to 3 of the VL of the 41-15 antibody, respectively, the amino acid sequence of the FR of the VL in the human antibody was selected.

Kabat, et al. have classified VLs of the various known human antibodies into subgroups (HSG I to IV) based on the homologies of their amino acid sequences, and have reported the common sequences for each of the subgroups [Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, US Dept. Health and Human Services (1991)].

Thus, the homologies between the amino acid sequences of the FRs of the common sequences in the subgroups I to IV of the VL of the human antibody and the amino acid sequences of the FRs of 4H5VL were searched. As a result of searching the homologies, the homologies of HSGI, HSGII, HSGIII, and HSGIV were 68.8%, 86.3%, 68.8%, and 76.3%, respectively. Accordingly, the amino acid sequence of the FR of 4H5VL had the highest homology with the subgroup II.

Based on the above result, each of the amino acid sequences (SEQ ID NOs:4 to 6) of the CDRs of 4H5VL were grafted at appropriate positions in the amino acid sequence of the FR of the common sequence in the subgroup II of the VL of the human antibody.

However, Leu at position 109 of the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:10) of 4H5VL is not the amino acid residue which is used most frequently but the amino acid residue which is used with relatively high frequency at the corresponding sites in the amino acid sequences of the FRs of the human antibodies exemplified by Kabat, et al.

Accordingly, the amino acid residue seen in the amino acid sequence of the above 4H5 was employed.

As described above, the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:14) of the VL of the anti-Aβ oligomer 4H5 humanized antibody, 4H5LV0, was designed.

The designed amino acid sequence 4H5HV0 of the VH and the amino acid sequence 4H5LV0 of the VL in the anti-Aβ oligomer 4H5 humanized antibody are the sequences constructed by grafting only the amino acid sequences of the CDRs of an anti-Aβ oligomer mouse monoclonal antibody 4H5, to the amino acid sequence of the selected FR of the human antibody.

In general, however, in the construction of a humanized antibody, the binding activity is reduced in many cases where the amino acid sequences of the CDRs of the mouse antibody is simply implanted to the FR of the human antibody.

For this reason, in order to prevent the decrease in the binding activity, the modification of the amino acid residues that is considered to affect the binding activity among the amino acid residues that are located in the FRs of the human antibody and different from those of the mouse antibody is carried out together with the graft of the amino acid sequences of the CDRs.

Thus, in this Example, the amino acid residues of the FR, which are considered to affect the binding activity, were identified in the following manner in Example.

First, the three-dimensional structure of an antibody V region (hereinafter, referred to as an HV0LV0) comprising the amino acid sequence 4H5HV0 of the VH and the amino acid sequence 4H5LV0 of the VL in the anti-Aβ oligomer 4H5 humanized antibody designed as described above was constructed using a computer modeling technique.

The construction of the three-dimensional structure coordinates and the display of the three-dimensional structure were carried out using Discovery Studio (Accelrys, Inc.) in accordance with the instructions attached thereto. The computer model of the three-dimensional structure of the V region in the anti-Aβ oligomer mouse monoclonal antibody 4H5 was also constructed in the same manner.

Furthermore, the amino acid residues which were different from that in 4H5 were selected among the amino acid sequences of the FR in the VH and the VL of HV0LV0, the amino acid sequence with the modification to the amino acid residues of 4H5 was prepared, and the three-dimensional structure model was constructed in the same manner.

These resultant three-dimensional structures of the V regions in 4H5, HV0LV0 and the modified forms were compared, and the amino acid residues which were considered to affect the binding activity of the antibody were identified.

As a result, as the amino acid residues which are considered to change the three-dimensional structure of the antigen binding sites and affect the binding activity of the antibody among the amino acid residues of the FRs in HV0LV0, Leu at position 18, Gln at position 46, Met at position 48, Val at position 49, Ser at position 77, Val at position 93, and Arg at position 98 in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12 in 4H5HV0 and Ile at position 2, Val at position 3, Pro at position 15, Gln at position 50, and Gln at position 105 in 4H5LV0 were selected, respectively.

At least one amino acid sequence among these selected amino acid residues were modified to the amino acid residue which existed at the same site in 4H5, and thereby VH and VL of the humanized antibody comprising various modifications were designed.

Specifically, in the VH, at least one modification among the amino acid modifications in which Leu at position 18 was substituted with Arg, Gln at position 46 was substituted with Glu, Met at position 48 was substituted with Val, Val at position 49 was substituted with Ala, Ser at position 77 was substituted with Asn, Val at position 93 was substituted with Met, and Arg at position 98 was substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12 was introduced.

In addition, in the VL, at least one modification was introduced among the amino acid modifications in which Ile at position 2 was substituted with Val, Val at position 3 was substituted with Leu, Pro at position 15 was substituted with Leu, Gln at position 50 was substituted with Lys, and Gln at position 105 was substituted with Gly in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14.

As the antibody V region of the anti-Aβ oligomer 4H5 humanized antibody in which at least one amino acid residue in FR of HV0LV0 was modified, HV0LV0, HV0LV1a, HV0LV1b, HV0LV1c, HV0LV3, HV0LV5, HV2LV0, HV2LV1a, HV2LV1b, HV2LV1c, HV2LV3, HV2LV5, HV3LV0, HV3LV1a, HV3LV1b, HV3LV1c, HV3LV3, HV3LV5, HV4LV0, HV4LV1a, HV4LV1b, HV4LV1c, HV4LV3, HV4LV5, HV5aLV0, HV5aLV1a, HV5aLV1b, HV5aLV1c, HV5aLV3, HV5aLV5, HV5bLV0, HV5bLV1a, HV5bLV1b, HV5bLV1c, HV5bLV3, HV5bLV5, HV6LV0, HV6LV1a, HV6LV1b, HV6LV1c, HV6LV3, HV6LV5, HV7LV0, HV7LV1a, HV7LV1b, HV7LV1c, HV7LV3, and HV7LV5 were designed.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the amino acid sequences of H chain variable regions HV2, HV3, HV4, HV5a, HV5b, HV6 and HV7, respectively, and the amino acid sequences of L chain variable regions LV1a, LV1b, LV1c, LV3, and LV5, respectively.

(2) Production Anti-Aβ Oligomer Humanized Antibody

The DNA encoding the amino acid sequence in the variable region of the anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody was designed with the codons used in the DNAs (SEQ ID NOs:7 and 9) encoding the amino acid sequences of 4H5VH and 4H5VL. In the amino acid modification, the DNA was designed with the codons frequently used in mammalian cells.

The DNA sequences encoding the amino acid sequences of 4H5HV0 and 4H5LV0 in the anti-Aβ oligomer 4H5 humanized antibody are shown as SEQ ID NOs:11 and 13, respectively. In addition, the codons used in the DNAs encoding the amino acid sequences of 4H5VH and 4H5VL was used for designing the variable region with the amino acid modification.

Using these DNA sequences, the expression vector of the humanized antibody was constructed, and the humanized antibody was expressed.

(3) Construction of cDNA Encoding VH of Anti-Aβ Oligomer Humanized Antibody

The cDNA encoding the amino acid sequence 4H5HV0 of the VH in the anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody shown as SEQ ID NO:12, which had been designed in the above (1), and HV5a and HV6 shown in FIG. 1, which had been designed in the above method (2), was produced by total chemical synthesis.

(4) Construction of cDNA Encoding VL of Anti-Aβ Oligomer Humanized Antibody

The cDNA encoding the amino acid sequence 4H5LV0 of the VL in the anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody shown as SEQ ID NO:14, which had been designed in the above (1), and LV1b and LV3 shown in FIG. 2, which had been designed in the above method (2), was produced by total chemical synthesis.

(5) Construction of Anti-Aβ Oligomer Humanized Antibody Expression Vectors

The cDNA encoding any one of 4H5LV0, HV5a, and HV6 and the cDNA encoding any one of 4H5LV0, LV1b, and LV3 obtained in the above (3) and (4) were inserted into appropriate positions in humanized antibody expression vector pKANTEX93 disclosed in WO 97/10354 to construct various anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody expression vectors.

(6) Expression of Anti-Aβ Oligomer Humanized Antibody Using Animal Cells

The expression of the anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody in animal cells was carried out by a conventional method [Antibody Engineering, A Practical Guide, W. H. Freeman and Company (1992)] using the anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody expression vectors obtained in the above (5) to yield the transformant for producing the anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody (HV0LVV0, HV5aLV0, HV5aLV1b, HV5aLV3, HV6LV0, HV6LV1b, and HV6LV3).

As an animal cell line, CHO/DG44 cell line derived by double knockout of α1,6-fucosyltransferase (FUT8) gene (hereinafter, referred to as FUT8 knockout CHO cells) was used. It has been known that no fucose is added to the core part of the complex type N-linked sugar chain of the antibody expressed with this host cell strain (WO 2002/31140).

(7) Preparation of Purified Anti-Aβ Oligomer Humanized Antibody

After the transformant obtained in (6) of this example was cultured by a conventional culture method, the cell suspension was collected. Then, the centrifugation was carried out for 20 minutes under the condition of 3000 rpm and 4° C. After collection, the culture supernatant was filter-sterilized with a Millex GV filter having a pore diameter of 0.22 μm.

After filling 0.5 ml of Prosep vA High Capacity (manufactured by Millipore Corporation) into a column with a diameter of 0.8 cm, 5.0 mL of purified water and 5.0 mL of PBS buffer (pH7.4) were subsequently passed thereto to equilibrate the carrier.

Then, after the culture supernatant was passed through the column, the column was washed with 5.0 mL of PBS buffer (pH 7.4). After washing, the antibody adsorbed to the carrier was eluted by 2.0 mL of 0.1 mol/L citrate buffer (pH 5.0), 2.0 mL of 0.1 M citrate buffer (pH 3.5), and 2.0 mL of 0.1 M citrate buffer (pH 3.0) in this order.

The elution was obtained by 500 μL over 4 fractions. Thereafter, SDS-PAGE analysis was performed on the thus obtained purified fractions. The fractions of which the elution of the target protein was detected were collected and subjected to dialysis over a whole day and night at 4° C. using 150 mmol/L of NaCl and 10 mmol/L of Na citrate solution (pH6.0).

After the dialysis, anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody solution was collected and subjected to filter-sterilization using Millex GV (Millipore Corporation) with a pore diameter of 0.22 μm. The absorbance at 280 nm (OD280 nm) was measured using an absorbance measurer (SHIMADZU UV-1700) to calculate the density of the respective purified anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibodies.

As a result, 7 types of anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody consisting HV0LV0 comprising 4H5HV0 as the VH and 4H5LV0 as the VL of the antibody, HV5aLV0 comprising HV5a as the VH and LV0 as the VL of the antibody, HV5aLV1b comprising HV5a as the VH and LV1b as the VL of the antibody, HV5aLV3 comprising HV5a as the VH and LV3 as the VL of the antibody, HV6LV0 comprising HV6 as the VH and LV0 as the VL of the antibody, HV6LV1b comprising HV6 as the VH and LV1b as the VL of the antibody, and HV6LV3 comprising HV6 as the VH and LV3 as the LV of the antibody, respectively, were produced.

Example 2 Production of Antigen (1) Preparation of Aβ Oligomers

Amyloid β-protein, Human 1-42 peptide (manufactured by Peptide Institute, Inc.) was dissolved at 1 mmol/L using hexafluoroisopropanol. After sonication for 10 minutes, the prepared solution was dried up in air at room temperature overnight. Thereafter, 4 μL of dimethylsulfoxide was added thereto, and three-minute sonication was performed. Into the prepared solution, 200 μL of acetic acid solution (pH4.5) was added, and the resulting material was kept overnight in a stationary manner at 4° C. to produce Aβ oligomers.

(2) Preparation of Aβ Monomers

Biotin-beta-Amyloid, Human 1-40 (manufactured by AnaSpec, Inc.) was dissolved at 250 μmol/L using 0.1% of ammonia water. After the prepared solution was subjected to sonication for five minutes, the resultant was centrifuged under the conditions of 16,000 rpm and 4° C. for 60 minutes. Thus, Aβ monomers were prepared by collecting the supernatant.

Example 3 Evaluation on Anti-Aβ Oligomer Humanized Antibody Activity (1) Evaluation on Binding Activity of Anti-Aβ Oligomer Humanized Antibody Against Aβ Oligomers Using Biacore

In order to analyze the binding activity of each of anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibodies (HV0LV0, HV5aLV0, HV5aLV1b, HV5aLV3, HV6LV0, HV6LV1b, and

HV6LV3) against Aβ oligomers in the chemical kinetics manner, the binding activity measurement was carried out using the surface plasmon resonance method (SPR method).

All the following operations were performed using Biocore T100 (manufactured by GE Healthcare Bio-sciences). The Aβ oligomers obtained in (1) of Example 2 were immobilized to the CM5 sensor chip (GE Healthcare Bio-sciences) using the amine coupling method.

Onto the chip to which the Aβ oligomers were immobilized for measurement samples prepared to have 8 levels of density by diluting from 30 μg/mL by doubling dilution in a stepwise manner (HV0LV0, HV5aLV0, HV5aLV1b, HV5aLV3, HV6LV0, HV6LV1b, and HV6LV3) was sequentially injected and measured in the order from the lower density based on the automatic program of the multi-kinetics.

Using the analysis software attached to the device, Biacore T100 Evaluation software (manufactured by Biacore Life Science), analysis was carried out with the Bivalent Analyte model to calculate the binding rate constant ka and the dissociation rate constant kd of each of the antibody against Aβ oligomers.

The thus obtained binding rate constant ka1, the dissociation rate constant kd1, and the dissociation constant KD (kd1/ka1) of each of the antibodies are shown in Table 1, respectively.

TABLE 1 Binding Activity of anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibody to Aβ oligomers Antibody ka (1/Ms) kd (1/s) KD (mol/L) HV0LV0 1.4 × 10⁴ 1.4 × 10⁻³ 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ HV5aLV0 1.1 × 10⁴ 6.3 × 10⁻⁴ 5.5 × 10⁻⁸ HV5aLV1b 9.8 × 10³ 8.8 × 10⁻⁴ 9.0 × 10⁻⁸ HV5aLV3 8.0 × 10³ 9.7 × 10⁻⁴ 1.2 × 10⁻⁷ HV6LV0 7.9 × 10³ 8.6 × 10⁻⁴ 1.1 × 10⁻⁷ HV6LV1b 7.5 × 10³ 6.8 × 10⁻⁴ 9.0 × 10⁻⁸ HV6LV3 8.2 × 10³ 9.2 × 10⁻⁴ 1.1 × 10⁻⁷

As shown in Table 1, all of the anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibodies

(HV0LV0, HV5aLV0, HV5aLV1b, HV5aLV3, HV6LV0, HV6LV1b, and HV6LV3) exhibited binding ability to Aβ oligomers at the affinity from 1.2×10⁻⁷ to 5.5×10⁻⁸ mol/L.

(2) Evaluation of Binding Activity of Anti-Aβ Oligomer Humanized Antibody Against Aβ Monomers Using Biacore

In order to analyze the binding activity of the respective anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibodies (HV0LV0, HV5aLV0, HV5aLV1b, HV5aLV3, HV6LV0, HV6LV1b, and HV6LV3) against Aβ monomers, the binding activity was measured in the same manner as in (1) of this Example. In addition, the binding activity of anti-Aβ antibody 6E10 (manufactured by CONVANCE) was measured as a control antibody.

The Aβ monomers obtained in (2) of Example (2) were immobilized to the SA sensor chip (manufactured by GE Healthcare Bio-sciences) by the biotin capturing method. Onto the chip to which the Aβ monomers were immobilized, samples for measurement, which were prepared to have 5 levels of density by diluting from 30 μg/mL by doubling dilution in a stepwise manner (HV0LV0, HV5aLV0, HV5aLV1b, HV5aLV3, HV6LV0, HV6LV1b, and HV6LV3) were sequentially injected and measured in the order from the lower density based on the automatic program of the multi-kinetics mode. The sensorgrams are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, it has been found that all of four kinds of the anti-Aβ oligomer humanized antibodies (HV0LV0, HV5aLV0, HV5aLV1b, HV5aLV3, HV6LV0, HV6LV1b, and HV6LV3) do not exhibit binding ability to Aβ monomers.

Reference Example 1. Preparation of Antigen

Aβ1-40 peptide was synthesized to produce a compound in which fluorescent isothiocyanate of 6-carboxytetramethylrhodamine (6-TAMRA) (SIGMA) was chemically combined to the N-terminal thereof. The polymerization reaction of this compound was carried out with Aβ1-40 peptide (Peptide Institute, Inc), and thereby a preparation (API-40 oligomers) containing a large amount of oligomers was prepared.

2. Establishment of Antibody-Producing Hybridoma

The antigen prepared in the above-mentioned manner was immunized to the footpad of a Balb-c mouse, and subsequently, six more additional immunizations were carried out. The hybridoma was produced by fusing with Sp2/0-Ag14 cells with the use of the inguinal lymph node using polyethylene glycol 1500.

3. Dot Blot Analysis

The initial screening was performed by the dot blot analysis in which 2.5 μl of Aβ1-42 (2.5 μg/dot) which had been pre-incubated for 18 hours was immobilized on the nitrocellulose membrane. The non-specific binding site on the membrane was blocked with phosphate buffer solution containing 5% of reduced-fat milk, 1% of BSA, and 0.05% of Tween-20, and the non-specific binding site was incubated with culture solution supernatant.

The antibody bound to Aβ oligomer in the culture supernatant was detected by horseradish peroxidase marked goat anti-mouse F(ab′)₂ (1:3000; Amersham) and depicted by a sensitive chemiluminescence (ECL) kit using LAS3000mini (Fujitsu, Tokyo, Japan). With such an operation, the anti-Aβ oligomer mouse monoclonal antibody 4H5 was established.

The above reference example was disclosed in PCT/JP 2009/52039 (WO 2009/099176).

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skill in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

This application is based on U.S. provisional application No. 61/232,027, filed on Aug. 7, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated hereinto by reference. All references cited herein are incorporated in their entirety.

Free Text in Sequence Listings:

SEQ ID NO:1—Description of artificial sequence; HCDR1 amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:2—Description of artificial sequence; HCDR2 amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:3—Description of artificial sequence; HCDR3 amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:4—Description of artificial sequence; LCDR1 amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:5—Description of artificial sequence; LCDR2 amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:6—Description of artificial sequence; LCDR3 amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:11—Description of artificial sequence; DNA sequence encoding 4H5HV0 SEQ ID NO:12—Description of artificial sequence; amino acid sequence of 4H5HV0 variable region SEQ ID NO:13—Description of artificial sequence; DNA sequence encoding 4H5LV0 variable region SEQ ID NO:14—Description of artificial sequence; amino acid sequence of 4H5LV0 variable region SEQ ID NO:15—Description of artificial sequence; amino acid sequence of HV5a variable region SEQ ID NO:16—Description of artificial sequence; amino acid sequence of HV6 variable region SEQ ID NO:17—Description of artificial sequence; amino acid sequence of LV1b variable region SEQ ID NO:18—Description of artificial sequence; amino acid sequence of LV3 variable region 

1. A humanized antibody which does not bind to an amyloid β protein monomer and binds to an amyloid β oligomer, and which comprises the following (a) antibody heavy chain variable region and (b) antibody light chain variable region: (a) an antibody heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12 or an amino acid sequence in which at least one modification among amino acid modifications for substituting Leu at position 18 with Arg, Gln at position 46 with Glu, Met at position 48 with Val, Val at position 49 with Ala, Ser at position 77 with Asn, Val at position 93 with Met, and Arg at position 98 with Gly is carried out in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12, (b) an antibody light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14 or an amino acid sequence in which at least one modifications among amino acid modifications for substituting Ile at position 2 with Val, Val at position 3 with Leu, Pro at position 15 with Leu, Gln at position 50 with Lys, and Gln at position 105 with Gly is carried out in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14.
 2. A humanized antibody according to claim 1, wherein the antibody heavy chain variable region comprises the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:12, 15, or 16 and the antibody light chain variable region comprises the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:14, 17, or
 18. 3. An anti-cognitive dysfunction agent, comprising the humanized antibody according to claim 1 as an active ingredient.
 4. A medicament for treating Alzheimer's disease, comprising the humanized antibody according to claim 1 as an active ingredient.
 5. An agent for suppressing formation of neuritic plaque, comprising the humanized antibody according to claim 1 as an active ingredient.
 6. An inhibitor of formation of amyloid β amyloid fiber, comprising the humanized antibody according to claim 1 as an active ingredient.
 7. A method for at least one of prevention and treatment of cognitive dysfunction, comprising administering the humanized antibody according to claim
 1. 8. A method for at least one of prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease, comprising administering the humanized antibody according to claim
 1. 9. A method for suppressing progression of Alzheimer's disease, comprising administering the humanized antibody according to claim
 1. 